(UPDATED) Current Disney Vacation Club Members were able to purchase real estate interests beginning Jan. 12; Feb. 9 is the startup date for general sales. When the first phase opens, scheduled for April 1, the resort will introduce unique Disney accommodations, including Bora Bora Bungalows and connecting Deluxe Studios.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming families to this enchanting new resort, located just a quick monorail ride from Magic Kingdom Park,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “At Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, both the young and young at heart will enjoy a truly unique, enhanced and memorable vacation getaway, one that combines completely new Disney elements with the iconic and beloved experiences found only at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.”

The 20 Bora Bora Bungalows on the Seven Seas Lagoon will sleep up to eight guests each in a two-bedroom, home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. The Bungalows have two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and large dining and living room spaces for gatherings. Décor combines modern style with the tropical and enchanting look and feel of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort that guests love.

Private decks will feature a plunge pool where Members and guests can view fireworks over the Magic Kingdom, complete with the soundtrack that can be heard through an individual sound system. They will also have front-row seats to the Electrical Water Pageant, a playful nighttime water parade in the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The new resort also includes 360 Deluxe Studio Villas, the largest at the Walt Disney World Resort. These villas sleep up to five guests each and feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space for convenience and comfort, and two separate bathroom areas, one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and another one with a shower and sink. A pull-down armoire bed showcases painted artwork from the popular Disney film, Lilo & Stitch.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, where Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is located, began a multi-year reimagining project in 2014. This year, the resort will debut dramatically enhanced feature and leisure pools, as well as a new children’s water play area for Members and guests to enjoy. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is also slated to open and, like Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland Resort, will feature exotic cocktails and Polynesian-themed small plates in an imaginative setting only Disney could create.

Last year, new additions included Pineapple Lanai, a quick service location that offers popular Dole Whip treats, and Lilo’s Playhouse, a whimsical activity center where young guests can enjoy supervised play while their parents spend quality time out on the town.

The much beloved Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort opened in 1971 and is one of the two original Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Disney Vacation Club debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system. When this new resort opens, Disney Vacation Club will have 13 resorts total, nine of which will be at Walt Disney World.

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]]>http://wdwnews.com/releases/2015/01/07/disneys-polynesian-villas-bungalows-to-go-on-sale-next-week-2/feed/0Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Celebrates 40 Years Of Foot-Stompin’ Fun at Walt Disney World Resorthttp://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/08/25/hoop-dee-doo-musical-revue-celebrates-40-years-of-foot-stompin-fun-at-walt-disney-world-resort/
http://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/08/25/hoop-dee-doo-musical-revue-celebrates-40-years-of-foot-stompin-fun-at-walt-disney-world-resort/#commentsMon, 25 Aug 2014 17:56:24 +0000http://wdwnews.com/?p=36859LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — When Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue launched on June 30, 1974, the high-energy dinner show at Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground was created in the heyday of dinner theaters for Walt Disney World guests with a summer college intern cast. The foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ musical starred six young actors and offered endless buckets of fried chicken and ribs.

“Hoop-Dee-Doo was upbeat, and guests came for the corny jokes, good food and lots of fun,” said Forrest Bahruth, show director, Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment and the original choreographer for the dinner show. “Forty years later, the heart is still in it, the energy is still there.”

As that first summer ended and guests were clamoring for more, Walt Disney World Entertainment already was auditioning a full-time cast, and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue opened as a permanent show on Sept. 5, 1974. Today, it’s one of the country’s longest-running dinner shows and has presented more than 37,000 performances. More than 10.5 million guests have seen the high-spirited show.

And while Hoop-Dee-Doo has been fine-tuned over its 40-year run, the heart of the show never has changed: a slice of Americana, old-fashioned family fun and heaping helpings of good, down- home food. “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue exemplifies everything that Disney stands for,” said show director Tom Vazzana. “It’s interactive fun for families and stellar entertainment – six performers put on a show that’s 90 minutes of pure enjoyment.”

Performers sing, dance and act their way through the timeless classic. “I love to go and hear kids squeal with delight at Six Bits, but also hear strong American ballads,” says Vazzana. “Families tell me it’s the first time they’ve seen a Broadway-style show – it’s obtainable and accessible, quintessential Disney.”

Looking Back

In true Disney fashion, Walt Disney Imagineers designed Pioneer Hall in authentic Wild West style with 1,283 hand-fitted pine logs from Montana and 70 tons of stones from North Carolina to re-create a look from the late 1800s. The building opened April 1, 1974.

Themed entertainment is always part of the Disney story. While Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was being written and cast, a group of country-Western musicians called The Star-Spangled Washboard Band opened in Pioneer Hall, according to an historical timeline by Larry Billman, author/writer and Disney entertainment consultant, who was the author and writer of the original show.

Bob Jani, the director of Entertainment for both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, saw the potential for a “dinner theater show” and hired Billman. After multiple rewrites (the first version was called “We’re With You, Mother McCree!”), Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was born.

Students from the Disney World Fine Arts College Workshop program, an 11-week work experience program, auditioned for the three female and three male character performers in Hoop-Dee-Doo: Six Bits Slocum and Dolly Drew (comic relief), Jim Handy and Flora Long (the singers), and Johnny Ringo and Claire de Lune (the dancers).

“The college students sent us video auditions, and we had more than 600 applicants,” said Bahruth. The cast arrived at Walt Disney World Resort in early June for quick rehearsals, and the show opened on June 30, 1974.

Through the decades, the show saw some small revisions to songs and dance numbers, but the basic premise – a Wild West show in an old-timey music hall with a romantic leading lady and man – always remained as the guests clapped, stomped their feet and sang along, all the while sharing an all-American dinner around a communal, “please pass the cornbread” table.

The Food

There’s been just one change to the Hoop-Dee-Doo menu since 1974 – the strawberry shortcake for dessert. When the show opened it served apple pie, but changed to shortcake in 1979.

Today, servers dish up about 900 pounds of fried chicken every night, and cooks spend about six hours each day just breading the chicken. Add 400 pounds of pork ribs, slow cooked starting at 11 a.m. daily on a big outdoor smoker. For sides, there’s 120 pounds of corn, 400 pounds of potatoes to be mashed and 30 gallons of baked beans. It takes 15 gallons of strawberries and 12 gallons of whipped cream to make dessert.

Servers are part of the show, happily slamming all-you-care-to-eat buckets of ribs and chicken on the tables as they sing and dance their way through the dining room. Beer, wine, sangria and soft drinks are part of the menu.

The Show Today

With three shows nightly at 4 p.m., 6:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., guests can select from three different seating options based on floor or balcony tables. (Price includes tax and gratuity.)

Category 1

Category 2

Category 3

Ages 10 and older

$66.99

$61.99

$56.99

Age 3 to 9

$35.99

$30.99

$29.99

Category 1 is first-floor level with tables nearest the stage. Category 2 is either a table on the first floor behind the Category 1 seating below the balcony or in the center of the balcony. Category 3 tables are on the right or left side of the balcony on the second floor.

For reservations, book online or call (407) WDW-DINE up to 180 days prior to your visit.

Fun Facts

Today one member of the original cast from the college program still works for Disney – Marilyn Kay Magness, who played the part of Dolly Drew. She’s executive creative director, Disney Parks, Creative Entertainment.

An early draft of the show was titled The Whoop-Dee-Doo-Revue, which was revised to Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.

Principal songwriter was Tom Adair, who also wrote words for the score for Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” and the “Mickey Mouse Club.”

In 1979 the song “Apple Pie Hoedown” was replaced with “Strawberry Short Cake Walk” when shortcake replaced apple pie on the menu.

The writers added a nod to Disney legacy with “The Legend of Davy Crockett,” skit, complete with a coonskin cap and bear puns.

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue was part of the opening entertainment at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, with Larry Billman and Forrest Bahruth directing and staging the new version. The show played there until 1995.

A sun-drenched atrium dominated by 60-foot lodgepole pine timbers and a massive stone fireplace helps recapture the romance of rustic, century-old architecture with a contemporary flair, bringing the wilderness world of nearly 100 years ago 2,000 miles to Florida lakes and forest lands.

One of Disney’s Deluxe category resorts, the lodge is hidden away on the shores of Bay Lake surrounded by towering pine, cypress and oak forests. The 727-room hideaway is accessible by boat across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom and by bus to all Walt Disney World theme parks, hotels and attractions.

Warm tones of brown, green and beige create a cozy, woodland feeling in the guestrooms. Quilts featuring a Native American-inspired design, artwork depicting the mystery of the Old West and bed headboards etched with mountain scenes adorn the rooms. Most rooms include a balcony with views of waterfalls, “geysers,” courtyards, Bay Lake or the surrounding woods.

The resort features a volcanic meadow with bubbling color pools, babbling brooks and geysers spewing misty streams up to 100 feet into the air beside the swimming pool and white sand beaches.

Though conditions during the two-year construction project didn’t match the harsh, subzero climate when Old Faithful Inn was created by craftsmen more than 90 years ago, forging Wilderness Lodge out of the Florida landscape was no small feat. Tons of granite flagstones and hundreds of giant lodgepole pines from the West were brought in to re-create the authentic atmosphere of America’s national park lodges.

A soaring, log-framed main lobby is the centerpiece of the complex. Massive six-story-high bundled log columns help support roof dormers that bathe the multicolored wood and stone floor below in natural light. Four massive chandeliers with torch-cut scenes of Indians and buffalo, topped with glowing teepees, grace the lobby. Two 55-foot-tall handcarved totem poles — the “eagle” and “raven” — were inspired by Northwest Indians.

A majestic, 82-foot-tall, three-sided stone fireplace re-creates a 2-billion-year geological record of the earth with fossilized remains of prehistoric animal and plant life. Colorful rock strata layers are re-created in the proportions they occur in the Grand Canyon.

The culture and beauty of the West is showcased in the artwork at the lodge. The oldest culture to be honored in the hotel is the Native American, with artifacts from tribes such as the Cheyenne, the Crow, the Sioux and the Blackfoot. The era of exploration is represented by maps from the great Western survey teams plus sketches and watercolors from artists such as Karl Bodmer and George Catlin.

Guests are invited to explore porches, the Continental Divide lobby bar, the library and other intimate spaces that are tucked away within the lobby and six-story guest wings which surround a themed water recreation area.

A bubbling hot spring in the main lobby expands into a geothermal area outside the building. The water flows under a picturesque window wall to become Silver Creek in the upper courtyard. The quiet, contemplative creek widens and is transformed into a roaring waterfall which plummets 15 feet past Overlook Point, another traditional National Park icon, and widens again in the swimming area.

A kiddie pool and hot and cold spas complete the swimming area which then flows toward Bay Lake. The excitement is capped off by steaming color pools and an Old Faithful-style geyser that erupts at regular intervals.

Recalling the 1860’s railroad hotels of the American West, The Wilderness Lodge Villas offer the comforts of home amidst the rustic beauty of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This Disney Vacation Club resort invites guests to relax on the white-sand beach, explore trails through lush meadows and make a splash in Silver Creek Springs Pool. Accommodations range from studios with kitchenettes to two-bedroom villas with full kitchens.

The serene setting of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is complemented by unequaled epicurean experiences like Artist Point, a fine-dining restaurant featuring traditional Northwestern specialties such as cedar-roasted wild king salmon, and the Pacific Northwest Trio of slow roasted buffalo strip, venison loin and wild game sausage. The eatery is adorned with grandiose murals celebrating landscapes of the great Northwest.

The nearby Territory Lounge pays homage to the trappers, explorers and survey parties who led the country’s move westward. Roaring Fork Snacks offers grilled sandwiches in a cafeteria-style setting.

Wood-roasted, smoked, grilled and barbecued cuisine can be found at Whispering Canyon Cafe — a family-style, all-you-can-eat restaurant with an American West motif.

]]>http://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/01/05/americas-western-heritage-comes-alive-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/feed/0Concierge Serves Up Royal Treatment at Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort Hotelshttp://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/01/03/concierge-serves-up-royal-treatment-at-walt-disney-world-deluxe-resort-hotels/
http://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/01/03/concierge-serves-up-royal-treatment-at-walt-disney-world-deluxe-resort-hotels/#commentsFri, 03 Jan 2014 05:00:00 +0000http://wdw.disneyparksnews.com/articles/2007/07/03/concierge-serves-up-royal-treatment-at-walt-disney-world-deluxe-resort-hotels/LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Walt Disney World Resort guests can enjoy personalized service catered specifically to their vacation wants and needs. By staying in a Club Level room at a Deluxe Resort, guests will receive advance itinerary planning assistance to arrange golf tee times, dining reservations, childcare services, transportation and more, as well as full access to an exclusive Club Level Lounge once they arrive.

Each concierge club offers a varied menu of special services, from personalized concierge services to private lounge privileges including complimentary breakfast, wine-and-cheese tasting and dessert-and-cordial hours. All concierge resorts also offer evening turndown service with chocolates, complimentary newspapers in lounge areas and more.

Requests honored through the years by concierge staff at all eight resorts include:

Setting the scene for marriage proposals and special anniversaries.

Searching local grocery and health-food stores for guests’ special dietary needs.

Creating complete family vacation itineraries, including VIP and guided tours.

Along with the expected top-of-the-line service, each Disney resort concierge prides itself on special offerings:

Kilimanjaro Club at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge offers guests of its 67 club-level rooms and suites several snack opportunities throughout the day, starting with fresh fruits and juices in the morning, a selection of African snacks in the afternoon and a selection of wines, hors d’oeuvres, and appetizers from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants Jiko – The Cooking Place and Boma, each evening.

Stone Harbor Club guests at Disney’s Beach Club Resort (95 club-level rooms and suites) and Regatta Club guests at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort (78 club-level rooms and suites) are privy to concierge lounge menu samplings of braised beef, steamed clams and other sumptuous goodies.

The Innkeeper’s Club at Disney’s BoardWalk serves up chocolate-covered strawberries, plus milk and cookies for the kids each night for guests of its 57 concierge accommodations.

Guests of the 14th floor Tower Club and the 12th floor Atrium Club at Disney’s Contemporary Resort (61 club-level rooms and suites) enjoy some of the best room views on Disney property — Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom and scenic Bay Lake. This very first Walt Disney World hotel opened with Magic Kingdom in 1971 and has hosted several generations of concierge guests who appreciate the short walk to the Magic Kingdom gates.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (181 club-level rooms and suites) wows guests of its Royal Palm Club and Sugar Loaf Club with curbside and in-room check-in, plus a daily tea event in both lounges. The Royal Palm features expanded lounge amenities including a generous sampling of cordial and liqueur choices.

The King Kamehameha Club at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (108 club-level rooms and suites) features a two-story lounge with expansive floor-to-ceiling windows for a perfect view of nightly fireworks over Seven Seas Lagoon and provides guests with access to the club-level lounge serving refreshments from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

Old Faithful Club Concierge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge features a high cast-to-guest ratio for those staying in one of 75 club-level rooms. The 5-7 p.m. wine-and-cheese gathering includes hot menu items such as salmon pot pie and child-friendly foods from its signature restaurants.

For more information about Disney club-level resort accommodations or reservations, guests can call 407/W-DISNEY (934-7639), a local travel agent or check online at disneyworld.com.

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CONCIERGE/rev:3-1-14:am

]]>http://wdwnews.com/releases/2014/01/03/concierge-serves-up-royal-treatment-at-walt-disney-world-deluxe-resort-hotels/feed/0The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa Welcomes Disney Vacation Club Members to a Piece of Victorian Grandeurhttp://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/10/23/the-villas-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa-welcomes-disney-vacation-club-members-to-a-piece-of-victorian-grandeur/
http://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/10/23/the-villas-at-disneys-grand-floridian-resort-spa-welcomes-disney-vacation-club-members-to-a-piece-of-victorian-grandeur/#commentsWed, 23 Oct 2013 13:07:13 +0000http://wdwnews.com/?p=32236Newest Disney Vacation Club Resort blends the best of turn-of-the-century elegance with relaxed Disney touches, located steps from a monorail ride to Magic Kingdom Park

CELEBRATION, Fla. (October 23, 2013) – Disney Vacation Club welcomes its 12th resort to its portfolio of vacation destinations with the opening of The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, located within walking distance of a monorail ride to Magic Kingdom Park. The resort – reminiscent of the golden age of a bygone Victorian era - resides alongside the picturesque shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, steps away from the myriad world-class dining and recreation offerings available at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, the flagship Walt Disney World resort experience.

The new resort features a variety of villa accommodations that sleep anywhere from five to nine guests, all designed to bring families closer and create memories that last a lifetime. The resort is the first Disney Vacation Club property to feature deluxe studios that sleep up to five guests. Additionally, expansive grand villas sleep 12 guests and feature multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as a media room with a home theater system.

“The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is yet another example of how we are listening and responding to our members,” said Ken Potrock, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Vacation Club. “The resort builds on the continuing momentum to provide our members with ever-greater choices and experiences.”

Inside one-bedroom and larger villas, an intricate level of finishes brings the 21st century to Victorian design, including custom Disney artwork adorning the walls of each bedroom; ornate bathrooms hosting mosaic marble tile and a mirror with a built-in television; and a walk-in master bath shower and a freestanding Victorian-style tub with air-bubble jets. The living area spares no details when it comes to comfort and flexibility, with a pull-down bed featuring artwork inspired by Walt Disney’s Dumbo and Mary Poppins.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa covers approximately 40 acres and has provided premium entertainment, recreation and dining since its ribbon-cutting ceremony in 1988. From its musicians entertaining daily in the lobby and delectable dining options (including the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, Garden View Tea Room, Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner, Citricos, the AAA Five Diamond award-winning Victoria & Albert’s, among many more) to its recreational opportunities such as watercraft rentals, white-sand beach, pirate adventure cruises and the rejuvenating Senses – A Disney Spa, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spais known as the crown jewel of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Additionally, the second floor of the resort leads to the monorail platform, which can whisk guests to Magic Kingdom within minutes.

Disney Vacation Club, a leader in vacation ownership, debuted in 1991 with a flexible, vacation points-based system rather than the traditional fixed-week timeshare model. Today, Disney Vacation Club is approaching a total of 200,000 member families, from all 50 states and approximately 100 countries, who have discovered the joys of membership.

Disney Vacation Club members are able to choose from among a variety of exciting vacation destinations, including a stay at any Disney Vacation Club resort or one of more than 500 other destinations around the world. When purchasing directly from Disney, members can also take trips on one of the Disney Cruise Line ships or guided vacations with Adventures by Disney. Vacations at a Disney Vacation Club resort can last anywhere from one night to several weeks.

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ABOUT WALT DISNEY PARKS AND RESORTS

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts are where families’ vacation dreams come true. More than 50 years ago, Walt Disney created a new kind of entertainment that families could experience together, immersed in detailed atmospheres and vibrant storytelling and classic Disney characters. His vision now includes a collection of five of the world’s leading family vacation destinations – Disneyland Resort, Anaheim, Calif.; Walt Disney World Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Fla.; Tokyo Disney Resort, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan; Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, France; and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, located on Lantau Island. In addition, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts includes the world-class Disney Cruise Line; Disney Vacation Club, with 12 resorts; Adventures by Disney, a guided group vacation experience to some of the world’s most popular and exotic destinations; and Walt Disney Imagineering, which creates and designs all Disney parks, resorts and attractions.

His passion for cooking started early, watching his mother as she prepared stews, roasts, chicken and dumplings and other comfort food for the family in Toledo, Ohio. At 15, he took a job in a local restaurant. “I felt so at home in the kitchen,” he says. “I never really considered another career.”

After high school, Piasecki entered Owens Technical College in Toledo to work toward an associates’ degree in foodservice management. In 1991, at the age of 20, he left Ohio to join Disney’s Culinary Apprenticeship program at Epcot where he worked in The Coral Reef, Land Grill Room, Farmer’s Market and Odyssey restaurants. In 1992 he moved to Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort where he continued to apprentice in the restaurant and banquet kitchens.

Piasecki’s on-the-job training next took him to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa before he was elevated to restaurant chef at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort in 1994. In 1996 he moved to the ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort as restaurant chef and was named head chef for the restaurant in 1997.

In May 1999, Piasecki became the chef at Coral Reef restaurant in Epcot’s Living Seas pavilion where he not only cooked, but also managed the receiving, culinary, bakery/pastry and stewarding departments. His Coral Reef experience further ingrained his growing appreciation of freshness, fully developed flavors and seasonal products.

From The Coral Reef, Piasecki traveled to World Showcase and the Canada pavilion as chef for Le Cellier Steakhouse in 2001.

Piasecki took the helm in 2007 at Jiko—The Cooking Place as Chef de Cuisine. Jiko means “cooking place” in Swahili, and the restaurant’s masterful dishes pay homage to the African theme. Traveling to South Africa to explore the cuisine, wine, and culture of the people while cooking with award-winning South African chefs was a career highlight.

In January of 2009, Piasecki was named the Chef de Cuisine of the California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Located on the 15th floor of the Resort the onstage, market-inspired kitchen boasts breathtaking views of the Magic Kingdom, Seven Seas Lagoon and nightly fireworks. The menu is creative, seasonal, sophisticated and fun – a true market menu.

]]>http://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/09/05/chef-de-cuisine-brian-piasecki-california-grill-disneys-contemporary-resort/feed/0Reimagined California Grill Takes Disney Restaurant Scene to New Heightshttp://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/09/05/reimagined-california-grill-takes-disney-restaurant-scene-to-new-heights-reopening-sept-9/
http://wdwnews.com/releases/2013/09/05/reimagined-california-grill-takes-disney-restaurant-scene-to-new-heights-reopening-sept-9/#commentsThu, 05 Sep 2013 16:07:15 +0000http://wdwnews.com/?p=31509LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – With sweeping views of Walt Disney World Resort from the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, California Grill features a spacious dining room with a modern style that captures the spirit of California throughout the design, reimagined in 2013 from the original dining room that opened in 1995.

When guests step out of the elevator on the 15th floor, the panorama view is the first sensation. Whether watching the sun dip slowly over the Seven Seas Lagoon or the bird’s-eye perspective of the Magic Kingdom, diners know it’s going to be a memorable evening.

“The wall of windows and the vast horizon reminded the interior designers of mid-century modern California residences high up on hilltops,” says Eric Jacobson, senior vice president of creative development, Walt Disney Imagineering. Mid-century modern describes mid-20th century design from about 1933 to 1955, a form that flourished in the 1950s and ‘60s.

“The prime position atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort really spoke to us,” Jacobson continues. Warm oranges and yellow hues inspired by the magical sunsets of both California and Florida are foundational colors. A touch of Disney from that era is incorporated into the carpet design reminiscent of the sketches of artist and Disney Legend Mary Blair, who created the character designs for Disney attractions such as it’s a small world, and inspired the100-foot-high colorful mosaic tile art on the fourth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Reproductions of Blair’s original artwork are displayed.

Stretched fabric artwork also adorns the walls, expanding the color palette with bright, fun prints. Replicas of mid-century modern ceramics, as well as all-new custom lighting with colorful globes complement the vibe.

At night, the Magic Kingdom fireworks still are part of the show, with music piped in at two outdoor viewing areas – one on the northwest side, another new deck on the southwest side.

The onstage kitchen includes stacks of wood for the wood-burning oven, “bringing organic nature into the space,” says Jacobson.

Dining room highlights include two communal tables, each seating 10, strategically positioned at the north end of the dining room for optimal fireworks viewing. The 10-foot teak tables get a touch of color from hot pink chairs with leather seats, a bold departure from the rest of the room with linen-draped tables and wooden chairs.

Servers in crisp silver shirts, black slacks and classic mahogany bistro aprons with silver pinstriping add an air of casual elegance to the dining room. The Napa and Sonoma private dining rooms are available for private functions, as well as a glass-walled wine room in the main dining room.

The Menu

Cuisine features seasonal ingredients and a lighter touch, such as heirloom tomatoes, local seafood including Gulf Coast prawns and Cedar Creek clams, and Zellwood corn in salads, soups and paired with fish. An expansive sushi bar features pristine seafood.

“California Grill always will be a place that’s creative, seasonal, sophisticated and fun,” says Chef de Cuisine Brian Piasecki. Piasecki’s menu is “all about the composed dish, tastes that are designed to complement each other” he says. For instance, Pacific halibut with parsnip silk, roasted heirloom beets, arugula, macadamia vinaigrette and beet syrup: “taste the silky puree, the salt-roasted beets, the delicate fish, crunchy macadamia nuts . . . together it’s a symphony,” says Piasecki.

Longtime menu favorites remain, such as pork tenderloin, now Pork Two Ways, grilled tenderloin and lacquered pork belly with goat cheese polenta and mushrooms. The oak-fired filet of beef is served with heirloom tomato risotto, marinated baby vine tomatoes and basil. Popular Sonoma goat cheese ravioli has a tomato fennel broth with crispy shiitake mushrooms.

From the wood-burning oven, a “Surf & Turf” includes New Smyrna, Fla., clams, saffron-infused fennel, chorizo butter and bone marrow. Baked local prawns are served with charred lemon, arugula, and tomato and cippolini onion relish. Signature meatballs come with piquillo pepper grits and eggplant piperade. Flatbreads are still on the menu, topped with house-cured bacon, heirloom tomatoes and local Meyer lemons.

Pastry Chef Jeff Barnes offers diverse sweet endings, such as a light, refreshing Meyer Lemon cheesecake, chocolate pudding cake with banana fritters, and his favorite, the Sundae Sampler, a trio with a Coke float, strawberry sundae and caramel corn sundae. “Such great flavors on one plate,” he enthuses.

Barnes also created two new breads just for California Grill – a whole-grain sourdough and a lavender-infused focaccia made with fresh California lavender, olive oil and herbs.

Wine & Cocktails

Known for its solid wine list, California Grill, under the guidance of sommelier Michael Scheifler, offers about 250 wines on the list, 72 percent from California, another 22 percent Old World wines and 6 percent New World wines.

“We have something for every palate,” says Scheifler, “from a first-growth Bordeaux to a boutique wine from Oregon or South Africa, there are some really special, highly allocated bottles.”

There are 80 wines by the glass, and more than 20 sommeliers on staff make pairing easy. The expanded sushi bar gets an expanded sake list, with nine varieties, from a light, sparkling sake to cask strength, says Scheifler. And there are eight kinds of craft beers and ciders on the menu, mostly from California.

Signature cocktails are recipes created by staff mixologists, from a bold sake martini to a breezy cucumber drink and a San Fran Pisco Sour – and the California Grill is the only Disney restaurant that serves the creations.

The two-story, full-service spa which opened July 25, 2013, is inspired by the healing properties of natural springs that have drawn people for centuries to Saratoga Springs in upstate New York. Senses Spa incorporates the springs, nature and the storyline of health in its design and theme. Design materials and textures, including natural stone, pebbles and rich woodwork, will “connect with the earth and speak to the serenity and tranquility associated with nature,” according to Ginger Mclean, spa director.

Guests are greeted with the soothing sounds of a trickling fountain, branch-like fixtures and soft amber lighting setting the mood for this new oasis for rejuvenation and relaxation. Wood floors, stone details and wood-beamed ceilings bring a warm, organic feel to the newly imagined spa and fitness center.

Walt Disney Imagineers incorporated nature throughout the design using a hummingbird motif showcased in wood carvings and furnishings; alongside authentic Native American artwork.

Each treatment is guided by one of the spa’s core themes – relax, renew or imagine – each of which will create a custom experience. All the senses are engaged in an ultimate relaxation experience, plus flavorful and soothing elixirs harmonize with the treatment selected.

A completely redesigned space, Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, features 10 treatment rooms offering an array of therapeutic services including water therapy, massage and facials. An intimate couple’s room is ideal for honeymooners, or for those who want to relax and spa together.

A glass mosaic tile mural featuring hummingbirds in a nature setting takes center stage in the whirlpool room. There’s also heated loungers and a steam room providing relaxation and renewal. A glass doorway leads guests to three manicure and four pedicure stations, a great way to recharge after a day in the theme parks.

The opening of Senses – A Disney Spa at Saratoga Springs Resort follows the opening of its sister spa, Senses, A Disney Spa at the Grand Floridian Resort that opened in December, 2012 featuring 15 treatment rooms. For more information, visit www.disneyworld.com/spas. To book a treatment at either spa, call 407-WDW-SPAS.

Disney offers additional facilities with traditional salon services, plus a limited menu of massages, facials, manicures and pedicures, plus a fitness center to soothe and unwind. These amenities are a convenient way to get a little “me time” right at your home resort. All five locations are now owned and managed by Disney so that means a whole new menu of relaxing and pampering services with a dash of Disney in décor and guest service. Treatment hours are from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with extended hours on weekends and holidays at Zahanati Massage & Fitness Center at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Olympiad Fitness Center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Study Branches Health Club at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Salon hours are typically 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily at La Vida Health Club and Casa de Belleza Salon at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Ship Shape massage Salon Fitness at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts and Ivy Trellis at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, nestled on the picturesque shores of Seven Seas Lagoon between Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, welcomed its first modern-day time-travelers in mid-1988.

The 867-room hotel featuring complete resort facilities recalls the days when John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison and even President Theodore Roosevelt led the annual winter pilgrimage to the land of friendly sunshine, where rowboats and palm fans replaced snow shoes and pot-belly stoves. Canary palms, southern magnolias and richly colored gardens complete the historic theme.

Often referred to as “the jewel in the crown” of Disney’s Vacation Kingdom, Disney’s Grand Floridian also may be the first resort of its kind since the golden era of Henry M. Flagler and Henry Plant. But this time, it has all the advantages of 21st century living — including monorail service that stops right beside the 19th century Grand Lobby.

Like Disney’s other resorts, Disney’s Grand Floridian has a distinctive theme that carries through architecture, landscape, furnishings and costumes.

The style of the buildings is reminiscent of the Victorian era but is more playful and relaxed — embellished by intricate lattice work and balustrades and 120 miles of scrolls, turnposts and curved moldings. Snow-white towers and red-shingle roofs make a dramatic first impression on guests.

The resort accommodations are among the most luxurious on Disney property. The club-level and suite rooms with private elevator access in the 225,000-square-foot Sugar Loaf Key building include in-room facilities such as a wet bar and lavish decor. One of the resort’s five lodge buildings also features personal concierge service.

In the main building, the third-floor concierge lobby includes two concierge desks designed to provide personalized services such as check-in/check-out, reservations, information, etc. The fourth-floor concierge lobby includes a quiet seating area where club-level guests can enjoy, at no additional charge, continental breakfasts and evening cocktails.

Throughout the hotel, guestroom decor, as it did a century ago, enhances the atmosphere of a refuge from harsh winters and the hectic big-city pace. Features include soft, spring-like colors and printed wall coverings, armoires and other furnishings in light woods, marble-top sinks with old-fashion fittings, and Victorian woodwork.

Most rooms include two queen-size beds plus a day bed. Suites include a parlor plus one to three bedrooms.

An open-cage elevator, aviary, palms and ferns set the mood in the sitting area of the Grand Lobby, which reaches five stories to a Victorian ceiling adorned with three illuminated stained-glass domes, ornate chandeliers and metal scrolls.

Shops carry on the theme in displays featuring turn-of-the-century toys and clothing.

On the second floor, M. Mouse Mercantile is just a few steps from the monorail. There’s toys, costumes, Disney Pin Trading, costume jewelry and children’s apparel. On the same floor, Commander Porter’s – a men’s shop – carries Disney golf shirts and assorted accessories. Upscale items by various designers, plus cigars, watches, casual shoes fragrances and more are offered.

Dining opportunities at Disney’s Grand Floridian are diverse — from flatbreads, pizzas and grill entrees at Gasparilla Grill and Games to intimate, candlelight, gourmet dinners at Victoria & Albert’s, with elegant service fit for royalty. The largest restaurant is Cítricos featuring sun-drenched Provençal colors and an open-air kitchen. 1900 Park Fare hosts character dining at breakfast and dinner plus the popular Wonderland Tea Party. Grand Floridian Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party is offered daily in Garden View Lounge.

All major dining locations are in the main building except Narcoossee’s, a seafood restaurant on a romantic shoreline location. Octagon-shaped and open-beamed, Narcoossee’s features a show kitchen where cooks broil, steam, sauté and smoke the catches of the day. The Beaches Pool Bar & Grill offers a grill menu and other specialty entrees.

Hotel recreation is water-oriented — white sand beaches on Seven Seas Lagoon, a marina with rental craft. Beach Pool offers guests a natural springs setting complete with a waterfall flowing from a 27-foot-tall stone mountain. Kids can make a splash in the “Alice in Wonderland” themed water activity play area. For the most lavish water experience, the Grand 1 Yacht offers a pampered VIP boating experience on Seven Seas Lagoon overlooking Magic Kingdom. The 52-foot Sea Ray yacht sails on morning, afternoon or evening excursions, featuring a fireworks display above Magic Kingdom on select evenings. For the ultimate cruise, private butler service and on-board gourmet dining is available.

The new Senses – A Disney Spa at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, a full-service spa and health club pampers guests with a variety of personalized treatments including massage therapy, body treatments, facials, manicures and pedicures. Men’s and women’s sauna, steam room, whirlpool and a workout room round out the amenities.

Reservations can be arranged through the Walt Disney World Central Reservations Office:
407/W-DISNEY, a local travel agent, or at www.disneyworld.com.